Underfeed stoker construction



Jan. 19, 1932.

C. F. MlLLER UNDERFEED STOKER CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 21. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR ChcwLesEMiHer.

Jan. 19, 1932. MlLLER 1,842,187

UNDERFEED STOKER CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESS a o INVENTOR 1. My, 1 A Charles F. Mme.

- i BY g a. M

ATTQRNEY retorts and tuyeres.

Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UETED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES E. MILLER, OF MOORE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELEG- TRIO MANUFACTURING- COMPANY, .A. CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA UNDERFEED STOKER CONSTRUCTION Application filed February 21, 1930. Serial No. 430,324.

My invention relates to stokers and more particularly to multiple-retort ,underfeed stokers, and it has for a broad object to improve this class of apparatus.

In apparatus of this kind, heretofore known to me, it has been the practice to con,- struct the parts forming the fuel supporting surface in sections and to support the sections from a framework out of contact with the fire and consisting largely of beams which are in turn supported by a suitable main supporting structure. In this class ofiapparatus, it has been the practice to provide a beam or beams for each side wall of the retort; and, instead of this, I provide a single beam for supporting a pair of side walls.

According to a preferred embodiment of my invention, I provide, as in the prior constructions, a plurality of retorts comprising side walls formed in sections and bottom walls disposed between the side walls. I also provide a frame work for supporting the retorts including a plurality of beams supported by a main stoker supporting structure; but instead of having a beam for supportingeach retort side wall, I provide one beam for the two adjacent side walls of adjacent retorts. Also, the sections forming the side walls are both connected together and supported in position by brackets, which latter are carried by their respective I-beam.

More particularly, therefore, it is an object of my invention to provide a stoker having improved beam supporting means for the A further object of my inventionis to pro- 7 vide a stoker of the type consisting of cast iron, fuel-contacting parts and steel supporting beams wherein the beams are less subjected to heat effects. I V

These and other objects are effected by my invention, as will be apparent from the following description and claims, taken in connection with the accompanying drawin s, forming a part of this application, in whic Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a multiple retort underfeed stoker constructed in accordance with the present invention, the view being taken on the line II of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,.certain portions being removed to illustrate the construction of the supporting frame;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line IIIIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner of connecting and supporting the side walls of the retorts; and,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line VV of Fig. 1, and illustrating the construction at the lower end of the stoker.

Referring now in detail to the construction illustrated, it will be observed that I have shown a stoker comprising parallel, spaced retorts with rows of tuyeres 11 disposed between the retorts. The retorts comprise side walls 12 formed of sections 18 disposed in end-to-end relation and bottom walls 14 disposed between the side walls and supported by brackets 15 carried by lateral flange portions 16 of the sidewalls 12. The tuyres 11 bridge the space between and are supported by the upper lateral edges of adjacent retort side walls. Lugs 17 are provided on the tuyeres 11 and cooperate with other lugs 18 provided on the retort side walls for holding the tuyeres in proper relative position.

7 The retorts and tuyere rows form the fuel supporting grate and are supported by a frame structure. The frame structure comprises parallel I-beams 20 supported at their upper and lower ends by castings 21 and 22, which latter are suitably supported by transverse I-beams 23 and 24, respectively. The I-beams 20 are so arranged that one beam .is disposed between each two adjacent side walls of adjacent retorts and forms the means for supporting and holding in position the adjacent side walls.

Brackets 25 also form a portion of the supporting frame structure and serve to connect the retort side walls to their respective I-beams 20. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) The brackets 25 comprise flange portions 26 bolted to the web of an Ibeam 20 and flange portions 27 bolted to the adj acentends of sections 13 of the retort side walls. The brackets 25 are arranged inpairs on opposite sides of the I-beam 20 so as to provide a balanced structure. It will be observed that the brackets serve both as a means for securing the adjacent ends of sections 13 and for supporting such sections from their respective I-beam 20.

The castings 21 are disposed in abutting end-to-end relation and are bolted to the transverse I-beam 23. The lower flange portion of each I-bea1n 20 is supported by its respective casting and is anchored to such casting by bolts 28 extending through such l ower flange portion of the beam and through a flange 29 formed integral with the casting.

The lower castings 22 are also disposed in abutting side-by-side relation and the lower ends of the I-beams 20 are bolted to flanges 30 provided on these castings. (See Fig. 5.) The lower ends of the side walls 12 are secured to the castings by bolts 31 passing through flanges 32 formed integral with the castings and through such side walls. The castings 22 are not bolted to the Ibeam 24:, but are free to slide thereon so as to permit longitudinal expansion of the stoker.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that I have devised a supporting frame structure in which a single beam is provided for supporting the two adjacent side walls of adjacent retorts, the side walls being supported from the beam by means of bracket structures, the latter also serving as means for securing the adjacent ends of retort wall sections. Rolled sections of the I-type are highly desirable for supporting the cast stoker parts exposed to the fuel, not only on account of the reduced number of beams required and the consequent reduced manufacturing operations on that account, but beams of this type may be had of suitable size and strength which are straighter than plates or angles. Also, this type of beam possesses adequate stiffness and strength in all directions. Furthermoi e, owing to the supporting brackets, the beams are subjected to less intense heat effects.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is j 1. In underfeed stoker apparatus whereon the fuel bed moves in one general direction from the front to the rear and the refuse is discharged therefrom at the re r, the combination of spaced supportin structures extending transversely of the direct-ion of fuel feed; a plurality of parallel spaced unitary beam structures carried by the supporting structures and extending in the general direction of fuel feed; bracket means secured to each of the beam structures and aranged at opposite sides thereof; retorts arranged alternately with respect to the beam structures and parallel thereto and each comprising spaced side walls formed of sections secured to the adjacent bracket means of adjacent beams and bottom-forming members disposed between the side walls; and tuyeres bridging the space between and supported directly by the adjacent sidewalls of adjacent retorts, and independently of the bracket means.

2. In underfeed stoker apparatus whereon the fuel bed moves in one general direction from the front to the rear thereof and the refuse is discharged therefrom at the rear, the combination of spaced supporting structures extending transversely of the direction of fuel feed; a plurality of parallel spaced I beams having vertically disposed webs and carried by the supporting structures and extending in the general direction of fuel feed; bracket means secured to and extending from each side of the Web of each of the I beams; retorts arranged alternately with respect to the I beams and parallel thereto and each comprising spaced side walls formed of sections secured to the adjacent bracket means of adjacent I beams and bottom-forming members disposed between the side walls; and tuyeres bridging the space between and supported directly by the adjacent side walls of adjacent retorts and independently of the bracket means.

3. In underfeed stoker apparatus Whereon the fuel bed moves in one general direction from the front to the rear thereof and the refuse is discharged therefrom at the rear, the combination of spaced supporting structures extending transversely of the direction of fuel feed; a plurality of parallel spaced I beams having vertically disposed Webs and carried by the supporting structures and extending in the general direction of fuel feed; cast metal brackets secured to and extending from each side of the web of each of the I beams; retorts arranged alternately with respect to the I beams and parallel thereto and each comprising spaced side walls formed of cast metal sections secured to the adjacent brackets of adjacent I beams and cast metal bottom-forming members disposed between the side walls; and cast metal tuyeres bridging the space between and supported directly by the adjacent side walls of adjacent retorts, and independently of the bracket means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sub scribed my name this 17th day of Feb. 1930.

CHARLES F. MILLER 

